no-shock therapy

pickarooney

every time I touch any part of my Pc, I get some kind of (static) shock. In theory, the computer is earthed, so I don't know exactly what's causing the shocks. Any ideas how to ground it properly so as to avoid these unpleasant interactions.

Ruu_Old

Hopefully not when opening the computer and you soon won't have much left. Theres a number of ways to help avoid static. You get get an anti-static mat for around your computer area, the air might be too dry (so maybe a humidifier might work). Use a car key to touch something metal because that way the spark will fly from the key to the metal and not from your finger.

Creamy Goodness

touch an non-painted metal piece of the computer.

Karoma

Is it just you that encounters the shocks?
Do you get a shock every time?
Any specific part of the machine?
Origin of machine? (Was it made outisde of the EU?)
Make/model? Or did you build it yourself?
How old is it?

snappieT

Are the cases actually earthed? I know mine isn't. Mobo doesn't touch metal, PSU has rubber noise-reduction thingy between it and the case, the list goes on.

I'm sure you could solder something to the case and link it into one of the grounds. That'd solve your problem (I should hope!)

mathias

Just at the offset Im assuming here that there is nothing wrong with your PC and that its grounded properly through the psu like most PC,s.

This being the case then you are getting static shocks and all thats required for this to happen is for you to be charged to a higher magnitude than the chassis of the PC , which will be at zero volts relative to you assuming its grounded properly.

There are lots of ways for this to happen ,all it takes is for and insulator to rub against an insulator , such as plastic wheels on a nylon carpet , do you have a chair with wheels on it and do you scoot around on it while sitting at the PC , yknow what I mean , push back and forward , side to side , and over to a printer or something , because all of those actions can generate a big charge , which will jump from you to the case of the PC when you come close to it or touch it.
To fix the issue , you will need to see if you can find out what it is , touch the case of the PC , that will discharge you , now try the chair and see if you get a shock , or walk across the carpet and see if you get a shock. You should be able to narrow it down to which one it is easily enough.
Once you find out what it is , either change it or ground it. If its an insulator you wont be able to ground it but an ioniser may help. Ionisers are not cheap and in most cases a new chair or carpet would be cheaper.

Alternatively you could ground yourself with one of these kits, just clip one end of it to your ground and put on the wriststrap , that will guarantee no more shocks.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Anti-Static-System-Builder-Kit-NEW_W0QQitemZ110005459429QQihZ001QQcategoryZ16145QQcmdZViewItem

PogMoThoin

These might help : http://www.jamespirie.com/standrews/display.cfm?ManID=29&gclid=CIHIkMqjzIYCFRbfVgodxE3C6A#845